Helical vibratory conveyer



March 3, 1953 R. M. CARRIER, iR 2,630,209

HELIAL VIBRATORY 'CONVEYER S sheets-sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1946 JTZ/EHZZUF /bgewr M CARR/H?, J? E, 75%,.. M @ya March 3, 1953 R. M. CARRIER, JR

HELICAL VIBRATORY coNvEYE-:R

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26 1946 WWW nih. V//.

March 3, 1953 R. M. CARRIER, JR 2,630,209

HELICAL VIBRATORY CONVEYER Filed April 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sge?. 3

INI/E17 7277-7 /PoE/Pr M CARR/a; J4.

IMarch 3, 1953 R. M. CARRIER, JR 2,630,209

HELICAL VIBRATORY CONVEYER- Filed April 26 1946 5 Sheets.-Sheet 4 T27 Vai-7 2272-7 ROBE/PT M CARR/E@ J@ Q5 MHH 5.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 R. M. CARRIER, JR

HELXCAL VIBRATORY CONVEYER March 3, 1953 Filed April 26, 194e Patented Mar. 3, 1953v 'zgeaogzos HELICALvIBRAToRYj ooNvEYEa "Rob/crtMffarrielfr., Aurora,.Ill., assigner, by

' mesne assignments, to Carrier Conveyor Gorporation;A Louisville; Ky., a corporation of Kenf tucky Applicationv Aprill 26, 1946, 'Serial No. 665,059

(Cl. Hi8-220) 17 Claims. 1

' This invention relates' to improvements-Qin \m'ethods of and apparatus'for conveyingmaterial upwardly. More particularly'v this invention relates to conveyors .of` the ,type .used to. convey discrete material or the equivalent )from one point. to another. on 'dierent planes'. of elevation. While the method and apparatus of this invention is especiallyadapted to be usedin moving material from one level to another and will hereinafter be specifically described for such usage, many other usages of the invention, such Vas for screening, "drying or 'otherwise processing material, will be apparent to one: skilled. inthe art.

In a preferred embodiment of my. invention' l-l have provided a conveyor having anin'cline'd 'conveyor surface which progresses upwardly'. in a counter-clockwise 'direction about a center` axis at a constant or xed angle, the insidev angle being greater than the outside butboth respectively being constant. For convenience, `the average between the two may be called Ythe angle of climb.

By meansl of av simplemechanism the entire conveyor surface is "periodically'given a1 simultaneous counter-clockwise movement aboutA its axis and an upward movement along the axis.Y ".The

`path so described byfany point" on 'the' conveyor surface is apath'curved'about the'V` axisandu extending upwardly at' anY angle toA the already nupwardly inclinedconveyor surface. V4Thisangle may be from 5? to r10Q-depending Iupon thefpositioning of the actuating mechanism. After-a denite travel along this upwardly curved-path, the movement of the-conveyor surface is 4stopped and then moved'downwardly in a clockwise-direction about the axis. A particle'of-materialrest .ing on the conveyor surface will thusrbe-moved upwardly forward by the upward lcounter-clockwise travel of theconveyorf surface. When the particle of material comes to restit will be-on an advanced part of the conveyor surface since; not only has it been thrown forward, but the conveyor surfacev has \moved ina reversevv direction-in' its returnV stroke. Byapplying thismethodzof advancing Amaterial along La- Asurface byl a lseries of directionally controlled throws to a conveyor "having'its conveying surface inclined' atan angle somewhat' lessthan 'theangleof repose of' the material,.I have provideda new and efficient lmeans of moving material .upwardly to a' higher level cna spiral; helix. or upwardly curved'ight.

With the' foregoing in mind, it is an important object of' 'this invention to provide a method of and apparatus for moving material upwardly embodying a conveyor surface which' by virtue lof its. bodilymovement ,in aV curvilinear reciprocating pathvcauses material to bei propelled ."forwardlyl andupwardly along'its surface. in ase'ries of directionally controlled throws.

Another object 4of this invention .is to, provide a conveyor having an .inclined .conveyorL-'su'rface .which pivots about a vertical shaftand'has combined. vertical -reciprocation and angular oscilla- L tion 'aboutlthe center shaft resulting zin ,a curvilinear reciprocation yof Ievery. point on. the conveyor surface at aj definite angletothe plane of the conveyor surface wherebymaterialismoved `.up the inclined conveyor'surface.

A further'object oflthis' invention istoj` provide a conveyor which, by virtue of the'cyclical reciprocatingmovem'ent of the conveyor in 'a path lcurved. about Valcenter .axis .which appears'as. a

straight'line or substantially@ straight `line when Aviewed from the 'side of the conveyor,r 'material will move upwardly along anA inclined'rotarily curvate path.

Another and stilfurtherobject' of this'inven'- tion is to provide a conveyor'whichemploys .as a driving means asimple mechanismwhich: is easy. to` install and .maintainandnisdependable in operation.

,'"It is also'an' object of thisinventi'on toprovde a conveyor which employs a. simple, ecientelec- .trical device as a means'of imparting a. reciprocatingimovement to the conveyor.

"One of the important'v features ofI this 'invention is the provision of a conveyorhavinga Aspiral conveyor surface inclined at an anglev to. the horizontal and a slider-crank'mechanism mounted in' xed relation. tothe conveyor fori 'the purpose Vof imparting a.reciprocating.movement;to the conveyonata definite. angle to the plane of .the conveyor surface.

Another feature of this invention is theV provision of, a conveyor which employs van electrical vibrating..4 device to obtain .a reciprocating imovement of the conveyor.

A' further feature ofthis invention is theprovision of a Yconveyor` having armechanical device for imparting curvilinear `reciprocatingmovement to" .the conveyorwhich consists uf-'weighted Aarms oscillating .inoan arcuate path in "fixed relanection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away and partly in section, of one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section and partly broken away, of a modiiiedform of my invention;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section and partly broken away of a second modification of my invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus of Figure 2 Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Y

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan View of the apparatus of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken substantially along line VII-VII of Figure l looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section and partly broken away, of a modified form of my invention; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus of Figure 8.

As shown on the drawings:

In the preferred embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figures l, 5 and 7 the conveyor assembly I9 comprises an inner cylindrical wall Il and an outer cylindrical wall I2 spaced from the inner wall and concentric therewith. Between the walls II and I2 and permanently fastened thereto, as by welding, is disposed a helical element I3, the upper surface of which provides a helical conveying surface. This helical conveying surface has an average angle of inclination which as illustrated may be approximately 12 with respect to the horizontal.

The conveyor preferably has a bottom plate I4 which, as shown, may be integral with the outer cylindrical wall I2. The inner wall II is welded to the bottom plate I4 for rigidity. A cover plate I5 is positioned on top of the conveyor by means of downwardly projecting rings I6 and I1. The

cover plate I5 is welded to the outer wall I2.A

Material to be conveyed may be introduced upon the conveyor surface through an opening I3 in the lower portion of the outer wall I2, and the material may be discharged from the upper end of the conveyor surface by means of a suitable chute I9 extending through the upper part of the wall I2.

A vertical center shaft 29 is provided as a pivoting means for the conveyor. This shaft 25 is welded to the bottom plate I4 and the cover plate I5 of the conveyor. At its lower end this shaft passes through an opening in a conveyor support 2I and is journaled in a bushing 22 which is mounted on support 2|. A thrust plate 23 is loosely disposed about shaft 29 and rests on a properly selected coil spring 24 which is positioned in a cylindrical recess 25 about shaft 25. Such a spring may, for example, have a natural frequency of one-tenth of the operation reciprodirection being guided in such movement by the same bushings 22 and 28. When the conveyor moves upwardly the spring 24 expands to take up any possible clearance between the shoulder 21 of shaft 20 and the thrust bearing 26.

As best shown in Figure 7, the means provided in my invention for imparting movement to the conveyor I9 comprises a ilexible drive shaft 35 which is connected at one end to a driving means, not illustrated, and at the other end to a rotatable shaft 36. The shaft 36 is supported by two journal bearings 3T and 31a which are suspended from the under side of bottom plate I4 (Fig. 1). A bevel gear 38 which is in mesh with a bevel gear 39 is mounted at the end of shaft 35 for rotation therewith. The bevel gear 39 is loosely disposed about shaft 20 and is supported by shoulder 21 of shaft 20. A bushing 39a. provides a bearing surface on which gear 39 may rotate in relation to shoulder 2l (Figure 1).

A bevel gear 49, which is mounted for rotation with shaft 4I, is also in mesh with gear 39. The shaft 4I is supported by two journal bearings 42 and 42a which are suspended from the under side of bottom plate I4. At the outer end of shaft 4I a crank 43 is secured for rotation therewith. This crank 43 drives a connecting rod 44 (Fig. l) which is pivotally fastened by means of a pin 45 to a weight 45. As best shown in Figure 5 the weight 43 is rigidly secured to a rod 41 passing through its center. The rod 4T is positioned for slidable movement in a pair of journal bearings 48 and 48a which are mounted on a support structure 49 attached to outer wall I2 of conveyor I0.

Disposed at to bevel gear 49 and also in mesh with bevel gear 39 is a bevel gear 59. This gear 50 is mounted at one end of a shaft 5I for rotation therewith. The shaft 5I is supported by two journal bearings 52 and 52a which are suspended from the underside of bottom plate I4. At the outer end of the shaft 5I a crank 53 is secured. This crank 53 rotates with shaft 5I and drives a connecting rod 54 which is pivotally fastened by means of a pin 55 to a weight 55. The weight 53 is rigidly secured to a rod 5l passing through its center. The rod 5l is positioned for slidable movement in a pair of journal bearings 58 and 58a which are mounted on a support structure 59 attached to outer wall I2 of conveyor I9.

The driving mechanism on one side of the conveyor is identical to the driving mechanism on the other side as to size, weight, shape and posiion.

In operation the cranks 43 and 53 are driven in opposite directions as viewed in Fig. l due to the fact that their respective driving gears are substantially opposite each other while being driven by the same drive gear 39. However, the cranks 43 and 53, having the same length of arm and being rotated at the same speed, are so timed on their respective shafts that the weights 46 and 56 movein the same direction relative to the con- -yeyor and 'the forces'set upiby 'the armszaugment each other.

' It is readily seen .thatithe weights .travel Withfa straight line reciprocating movement at a denite Aangle to the plane of the vconveyor surface. Also, they travel with a speed characteristic ofthe simple harmonic movement of a slider-crank mechanism.

When the weight. 46 and the rod 41 areimoved .backand' forth between thebearings 48and 48a,` f there .will be set up forces.' transverse tothe axis ofY the rod which will be periodically reversed in direction as the connecting rod swings from one side of the axis of the rod '41' to 'the other. The

-vertical and horizontal components of .these forces, acting through the Ybearings 48 and 43a, will cause reaction forces to beset up inthe container vtending to oscillate 'the -container .about `its vertical axis and to move'l the container up and down along the axis.

The helical conveying surface will be advanced I forwardly and upwardly carrying' the material placed thereon along with it, however, the direction of movement of the helical conveying surface is changed rather abruptly because of the harmonic movement of the conveying surface along a reciprocatory path-and is therefore withdrawn from under the material allowing itv to fall in a new relative position on the conveying surface.

'The relative movement between' the conveying surface and the material not only assists in con- Aveying the material, but the initial movement of 'the surface is suihcient to partially throw the material in the direction of travel.

In Figure 2 is illustrated a modication of the conveyor of my invention. In this form the con- 4veyor G is identical as to construction and operation as the conveyor l of Figure 1. The method of drive is exactly the same as that shown in Figure 7 and described in connection with the conveyor of Figure 1.

However, in this modication the crank 43 drives a connecting rod 6| which in turn causes arm 12 Vpasses through a cylindrical weight 15 y which is positioned on the arm by a set screw'16. Thus the weight 15 is caused to oscillate in an arc of length BB about pin 14.

The driving mechanism on one side of 'the conveyor is identical to the driving mechanism.

on the other side as to size, weight, shape and position and the two mechanisms are so timed that the forces set up by movement of the weights augment each other.

A variation of the modiiication of Figure 2 is illustrated in Figure 8. In this form the conveyor 60' is identical as to construction and operation to the conveyor I0 of Figure 1.

However, in this variation, the crank 43`drives a connecting rod Si which is pivotally secured at- '61 to an arm 62 mounted for oscillation about a point on a support structure B3 on which it is pivotally mounted by means of a pin 64. The arm '62 passes through a weight member 65 which is adjustably ypositioned on the arm by aA set: screw 66. :thezweightfistcaused'to. oscillatei in aniarc .approximatelyof ."len'gthLC-IC On the other. side ofthe-conveyon-the crank 53 vcauses.theoscillation' of 1a weight .f-through similar linkages, vso lthat `the forces set'fupzby Ithe .-oscillationaof weights` 65 and' 15raugment1each other.

"This .modication diifers from that 'of Figure 2in that Athe oscillating arms extend downwardly '-and,iasa result, thef arc of travelof the oscillatlingl weights" has a.v .curvature Vopposite' to .tlratny of 'In'.Figure 3 is :illustrated an important ymodication of my invention. In thislform of the inventionatheconveyorll is identical to .the conveyor? 10, asdescribed in connection with: Figure -1, 'win `regard Ato construction, operation :land l mounting.

Vdriving means-an electrical vdevice is mounted' on ythe conveyor wall.

However, `instead of a-umechanical 'This electrical'device 8| is'mounted onapair .ofl ybrackets B2-and 82a which project from'the outer wall of the conveyor. This device is known as a vibrator and setsup a iiowof powerful vibrations in' the supporting structure vby the' action of pulsating wavesof electric current on anelectromagnet. A typical vibrator of this typeis known to the trade as Syntron`. The directionofthe yvibrations set up by theyibrator may be adjusted by altering the inclination ofthe-vibrator onthe conveyor. VIn Figure-3 the electrical vibrator is positioned with its long axis at'y approximately 60 -to the plane of the conveyor surface and 4therefore the conveyor will be-vibrated back and forth -in a straight-line movement at this angle, yAny material on the conveyor 'surface lwill consequently'be thrown upwardly andforwardly and thus will be moved upwardly along the inclined l conveyor surface.

vvThe advantageslof this modicationof my inl ventionI will be Vimmediately apparentwhen it is noted that there are no mechanical partslthat can wear orget out of adjustment. AAlso the in- "stallationis simpleand vthe apparatus is positive inaction. Since 4cheap electrical power is'convenient in practically-all localities, the economy vof this installation is apparent.

VI have heretofore described various modifications-of my invention, 4but it will be understood lthat numerous other variations may be made in lthe character, construction'and yarrangement of the component parts and in the general assembly without departing from the principles and scope of the invention. *To those skilled in the art vmany methods ofV producing -motion ofthe conveyor in substantially a straight line willrimmediately present themselves.

I claim as'my invention:

1. A feeder-type conveying apparatus comprising `a member having a conveying surface, resilient mounting means for said-member and an inertia system to cyclically move said member von said resilient mounting means comprising a mass, `means connected directly with said mass for vibrating the same independently of movement of said` member to produce harmonic moltion of said mass along a predetermined reciprocatory path' of traverse and connecting means-between said mass and saidmember to impart the inertia forces developed by the harmonic ymotion of saidmass to said member as a periodic disturbing force, whereby said `member will be cyclically reciprocated in resonance with the mo- 'tion of said mass. Y

2. A conveying apparatus as dened in claim 1 'wherein said inertia system comprises a mass,

a connecting rod pivotally connected thereto, and a crank pivotally connected to said rod, means to rotate said crank and said connecting means comprises a guideway aixed to said member and providing means to slidably support said mass for linear reciprocatory movement.

3. A conveying apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said member comprises a generally vertically disposed cylindrical container having a helical plate arranged therein and said guideway is carried by said member with the axis thereof angularly disposed away from the vertical axis of said container.

4. A conveying apparatus as dened in claim 1 wherein said inertia system comprises a lever arm, a mass connected adjacent one end of said lever arm, a connecting rod pivotally secured to said lever arm at a point intermediate the ends of said lever arm, a crank pivotally connected to said connecting rod, and means to rotate said crank and said connecting means comprises a pivotal connection between the other end of said lever arm and said member.

5. A conveying apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said member comprises a generally vertically disposed cylindrical container having a helical conveyor flight fixed therein, said lever arm being connected to said container and arranged together with said connecting rod to move said mass on a path of traverse generally transverse to the vertical axis of said container.

6. A conveying apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inertia system comprises a mass comprising an armature, electromagnetic eld means arranged adjacent said mass, means to alternately energize said field means to reciprocate said mass and said connecting means comprises a housing connected to said member and constructed to restrain movement of said mass on a linear reciprocatory path of predetermined length.

7. A conveying apparatus as deiined in claim 6 wherein said connecting means includes adjustably positionable elements to fasten said housing to said member in selected angular positions.

8. A conveying apparatus as dened in claim 1 wherein said means to produce harmonic motion are arranged and disposed to align the predetermined reciprocatory path of traverse in the same general direction as the direction of movement of the conveyed material.

9. In an apparatus for conveying material upwardly, a support structure, a vertical shaft journ-aled for rotation in said structure, a helical conveying surface rigidly secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, sets of actuating means disposed on opposite sides of said conveying surface to move said conveying surface in a curvilinear reciprocating path, each set comprising a bracket mounted in firm assembly with said conveying surface, an oscillating arm pivotally secured to said bracket, a weight positioned on said oscillating arm, a connecting rod pivotally fastened to said oscillating arm, a crank arm pivotally secured to said connecting rod, and a pinion gear mounted for rotation with said crank arm and flexible driving means connected through gearing to each of said pinion gears, whereby said conveying surface will be cyclically moved in resonance with said actuating means.

10. In a conveyor, the combination of a conveying member having a helical conveying sur- Vface disposed about a generally vertical axis,v resilient means supporting said member for axial reciprocation and rotational oscillation about such axis, a mass, means connected with said member guiding said mass for reciprocation along a path which has a vertical vector parallel to such axis and a horizontal vector which is tangent to a circle about such axis, and means connected directly with said mass for reciprocating the same along such path independently of movement of said member whereby the intertia forces developed by the reciprocation of said mass are imparted to said member as a periodic disturbing force to reciprocate said member along an inclined arcuate path.

l1. The conveyor according to claim 10 further characterized in that a lever arm is provided to one end of which said mass is connected, and that said means connected with said member comprises a pivot to which the other end of said lever arm is pivotally connected.

12. The conveyor according to claim 10 characterized further in that said means connected with said member comprises a guide with which said mass has a sliding t along such path.

13. In an apparatus for conveying material upwardly, a Support structure, a vertical shaft journaled for rotation in said structure, a helical conveying surface rigidly secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, sets of actuating means disposed on opposite sides of said conveying surface to move said conveying surface in a curvilinear reciprocating path, each set comprising bearings mounted integral with said conveying surface, a weight mounted for sliding movement in said bearings, a connecting rod pivotally Secured to said weight, a, crank arm pivotally fastened to said connecting rod, and a pinion gear mounted for rotation with said crank arm and flexible driving means connected through a gearing to each of said pinion gears, whereby said conveying surface will be cyclically moved in resonance with said weights.

i4. In an apparatus for conveying material upwardly, a support structure, a vertical shaft journaled for rotation in said structure, a helical conveying surface rigidly secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, sets of actuating means disposed on opposite sides of said conveying surface to move said conveying surface in a curvilinear reciprocating path, each set comprising bearings mounted integral with said conveying surface, a weight mounted for sliding movement in said bearings, a connecting rod pivotally secured to said Weight, a crank arm pivotally fastened to said connecting rod, and a pinion gear mounted for rotation with said crank arm and motive means mounted in rm assembly with said conveying surface connected through a gearing to each of said pinion gears, whereby said conveying surface will be cyclically moved in resonance with said weights.

i5. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized further in that said means connected directly with said mass for vibrating the same includes a linkage inter-connecting said mass and member to maintain a predetermined amplitude of vibration of said mass relative to said member.

i6. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized further in that said means connected directly with said mass for vibrating the same includes a linkage inter-connecting said mass and member to maintain a predetermined amplitude of vibration of said mass relative to said member, and an eccentric drive for actuating said linkage.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 character- UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Berner Dec. 14, 1926 Carrier May 1, 1945 Devol Mar. 15, 1949 Devol Dec. 26, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 15, 1927 

